Yet, new research from law firm Hugh James reveales that almost one-in-five Brits (some 16 percent) work for a company which haven't conducted a single fire drill within the last twelve months.

Even more worrying is a the poll of 2,000 full and part-time employees which found that almost half hadn’t received workplace training on what to do in the event of a fire.

Clearly, some employers are not taking training as seriously as they should—even excusing the age-old excuse that training employees is time-consuming and costly.

However, if you neglect fire safety training for employees, history will reveal that you may be treading a dangerous path.

Prevention is better than cure

Following the motto of ‘prevention is better than cure’ is an adage that often rings true.

This is typified by comparethemarket.com’s survey of 2000 people in 2016, showing that 54 per cent of people living in the UK don’t know what they need to do in the event of a fire.

That’s over half of the population who would be none the wiser if a fire broke out.

Take Oxford Street’s New Look store in London. The retail premises caught fire back in 2009 and criticism arose in light of its lack of staff training.

One of the customers, Joanne Weaver, spoke of her experience: “Staff within the shop did not seem to have a plan to evacuate people. They went from no cause for alarm, to panic.” Joanne noted that the staff hadn’t indicated there was a problem and no real direction was given in terms of advice or assistance.

The retailer subsequently faced fines amounting to £400,000, a fractured reputation, and a building in ruins.

Of course, it’s only speculation, but had the staff received the appropriate fire safety training, New Look may not have been charged with such a large fine. What’s more, the fire itself could have been tackled earlier resulting in less damage to both the building and the store’s reputation.

Starting with your fire doors

Another key fire safety issue is ensuring that fire safety hardware is in good working order.

What’s more, just as threatening to fire safety is the improper use of fire doors.

Wedging a fire door open, a particularly common offence made by many, may render your fire door obsolete. Fire doors need to remain closed to effectively prevent the spread of fire and smoke. Keeping a fire door open could put your business at risk legally, should it be judged that a person’s life be at risk as a result.

It’s essential practice to make sure staff members understand correct use of all fire doors within your establishment to maintain maximum safety in the event of a fire.

Correctly installed hardware amidst a changing landscape

Training on fire safety hardware doesn’t end in-house. Checking that installers have been correctly trained is key.

Locksmiths installing your hardware also need an acute knowledge on fire safety hardware. Electro-mechanical hardware, intended to be an aid for doors and often installed by locksmiths, can be susceptible to damage and accidents if installed incorrectly.

About Allegion Plc

Allegion™ (NYSE: ALLE) is a global pioneer in safety and security, with leading brands like CISA®, Interflex®, LCN®, Schlage®, SimonsVoss® and Von Duprin®. Focusing on security around the door and adjacent areas, Allegion produces a range of solutions for homes, businesses, schools and other institutions. Allegion is a $2.2 billion company, with products sold in almost 130 countries. For more, visit www.allegion.com.